APPEARANCE: Pours out viscous and yields a one finger, medium-thicker looking, fluffy, off-white head with only decent retention. Not quite as much staying power as the base. Darker color on this one, sitting a hazy, ruby red color in the glass with medium levels of carbonation evident. Head fades to a full cap. A splotchy wisp remains and leaves some decent lacing down the glass. Nice looking, but not as impressive as the base beer.

SMELL: Bourbon, oak, vanilla with toffee and caramel on the nose. Coconut for sure with lots of woody vanilla notes. Nice barrel for sure and a touch of sweet base beer is still there.

TASTE: Really nice. Bourbon barrel with oak, coconut and vanilla from the wood. Bold and persistent finish with lots of bourbon, oak, coconut, as well as some toffee and butterscotch from the base beer. A well-measured touch of booze as well. Very well balanced and very enjoyable.

PALATE: Medium body and slightly higher levels of carbonation. Very creamy smooth on the palate, velvety like the base beer, goes down smooth and finishes slightly mouth-coating. Same as the base beer but a touch lighter. Very velvety and creamy. Nice stuff.

OVERALL: Really, really nice, though I do think the base beer was a more impressive base than this is a bourbon barrel b-wine. Then again, they're both excellent. This one is very well balanced and complex showing a good mix of base barleywine and bourbon barrel aging, making it a drink worth pondering. I've heard stories that the second batch isn't quite up to par, but this first batch is a gem. Thanks again for the set claaark13. This was excellent. (1,746 characters)

the beer pours a dark brown, clear with a very thin head. the nose is chocolatey, 3 musketeers bar sweetness. the taste is definitely sweet upfront, brownie batter, 3 musketeers, vanilla, and almost no bitterness. the mouthfeel is medium bodied, drinkable, sweet, slightly metallic, and tobacco-y bitter. this beer is damn delicious and doesn't seem to have fallen off (although this is my first time having it). (429 characters)

Batch 2. Finally getting to this bottle after having it in my cellar for about a year. I've heard a lot of comparisons to King Henry (like most barrel-aged barleywines these days) so I was anxious to see which I preferred.

A- Dark brown, almost stout-like in color but not quite as dark. Has a nice head on it, very light in color.

S- Aroma is mainly bourbon and barrel characteristics. Lots of vanilla coming from that as well, it's sweet like I'd expect in a barleywine. Has some heat on the nose as well.

T- Barrel character really comes through well in the initial sip, it is a bit boozy but it's 11% ABV so I was somewhat expecting it. It definitely gets smoother as it warms up, though. It has a strong vanilla presence in the taste, as well as dark fruits. It's sweet but not too sweet. One of the aspects of this beer that I liked the most was the aftertaste. All of the flavors become very rich and linger for a while.

M- More carbonation than I was expecting, didn't hurt the beer though.

O- This is a great example of a unique barrel-aged barleywine. Unfortunately it's retired, but if you can get your hands on a bottle I'd highly recommend it. I do however much prefer King Henry in comparison, but they're so different from each other. (1,255 characters)

A: Hazy dark brown color. Almost black. Big cream colored head. Did not expect this from a BA beer. S: I'm pretty sure this is infected. Sour apples and pears, big fruity smell. Some spicy rye character. Reminds me of Seizoen Bretta. T: Sour. Definitely infected. Sour apples again, spiciness, a bit of caramel. A bit medicinal too. M: Thin bodied with massive carbonation. This beer gushed over for hours. Not good. O: I was looking forward to this but it's unfortunately infected. I have another bottle and will re-review soon. Wish I could contact Flossmoor but their website seems to be broken. (669 characters)

Wow, big thanks again to Ed for bringing this one to the tasting and sharing it with everyone. Pours a deep-ass amber-copper hybrid color with some dark ruby tints around the edges when held up to the light. Small head (almost no head), beige in color, settles almost instantly. Aroma is humongous - oaky as fuck and bourbony as fuck. The malt base is heavy and full of roasted cocoa beans, caramel, sweet molasses, and dark fruits; plums, dates, figs. Light hints of vanilla and rich syrup are detectable as well. Very sweet overall - super powerful and robust aroma. Very excited to finally taste this one.

Holy Christ, this motherfucker is extremely creamy and smooth on the palate, almost like a melted milkshake. Sweet whiskey and bourbon flavors hang around the edges of every sip and last from start to finish. Oaky, woody, and nutty flavors pop in and out, with the oak being the strongest of the bunch. Lots of sweet, dark fruits play integral roles in the flavor profile; sugar-coated plums, candied figs, sweet raisins - the level of sweetness is so high that it almost imparts a slight tartness to the beer, unlike anything I've ever had. Despite the intense sweetness, it's never cloying, and held in check from the booze, oak, and the rye, which provides a mellow dryness, especially in the finish, alongside some light cocoa powder and sweet molasses.

Good God, this bad boy was insanely drinkable, even with it's largely robust profile. So complex, so creamy, and so sweet, yet balance just enough to provide a superb drinking experience. I can't thank Ed enough for bringing this one along. (1,609 characters)

Taste: Smooth bourbon, vanilla and caramel. Bready malt and brown sugar towards the back half. Hint of dark fruit. More fudge and cherry on the palate than in the nose, but both are still complexities rather than prominent elements. Very smooth and easy drinking, with well-integrated flavors. Lightly sweet. The hops have totally faded, but there is still a faint rye flavor and prickle on the tongue. Boozy flavors without much “booziness.” 4.5/5

Smell: Batch 2 is somewhat of a different beast than Batch 1. Hops, caramel, barley malt, and brown sugar are the dominating elements of the aroma. The bourbon qualities are less defining than they were in Batch 1. There is also more alcohol heat in the nose than Batch 1. Still, quite inviting. 4.5/5

Taste: Much hoppier and “fruity caramel” forward. Some bitterness that was not in Batch 1. Almost exactly reminds me of the 2012 release of Three Floyds’ Barrel Aged Behemoth. 4.25/5

Mouthfeel: Similar mouthfeel to Batch 1. Syrupy, medium-plus bodied. The viscosity was slightly thinner than Batch 1. Not a lot of carbonation. 4/5

Overall: An excellent beer, but different in both flavor and quality than Batch 1. Both vintages look identical (same label, same wax) save for a slight difference in the appearance of the bottles that is only apparent when you put them next to each other. Both releases are worth seeking out, but the first batch is much better. Fans of Barrel Aged Behemoth will likely enjoy this beer.

Pours a cloudy raisin color with a short lived bubbly white head. I’m getting tons of vanilla on the nose followed by leather and chocolate. Smells amazing. The taste follows suit with a great deal of leather and mellow barrel notes. I also get cocoa, vanilla, toffee, caramel and spice. Very rich and delicious. Super smooth mouthfeel, thick body, with a hint of warming booze. The carbonation is frothy and bubbly but smooth and easy to drink. What a great sipper. Thanks again for sharing this one, Nick. (543 characters)

Batch 1. Thanks to Evan for this one. Shared at a tasting 12/8. From notes. 4oz Into a snifter.

Light cream colored head with no retention. Spotty lace with little stick. Beer is cloudy dark brown. Average given the style.

Caramel, brown sugar, molasses and some slightly boozy undertones. Mellow but very appetizing and robust at the same time.

Brown sugar, caramel, molasses. A light nuttiness in the middle with notes of sweet bourbon fading in and out. Mellow sweet, syrupy finish with maple syrup and brown sugar in the aftertaste. Great balance.

650ml bottle 11,5% Abv. Served lightly chilled in an over sized wine glass. I am not sure which vintage this bottle was, I will add it as soon as I find out.

Thanks to Lurchingbeast for this long time want!

Appearance: Bourbon Barrel Hi-Fi Rye appears a medium brown in the glass and is surprisingly hazy given how long it stood in my fridge. A back light shows the body to be moderately opaque, with beautiful golden amber edges. A rough pour yields a small tan coloured head that lasts acceptable for the style and a swirl coats the glass in heavy alcohol legs.

Smell: Mmmm this smells delicious. Sweet bourbon, caramel and vanilla (the vanilla character was a little more perfumey than in most bourbon barrel aged beers). A little contemplation and some warming yields: Brown sugar, more sweet caramel, a little oak, some spiciness (the rye?), raisins, dates, a hint of plum, toasted grains, a nutty note and a surprising citric hop note.

Taste: Sadly, the flavour (while still pretty good) doesn't seem as full or as complex as the nose. Notes include: Brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, a touch of oak, some toasted notes, raisins, dates, an earthy character and again a touch of hop flavour. The finish is surprisingly bitter and gently warming.

Mouthfeel: I was close to awarding a 5 in this department, but sadly as with most beers this is just a tad over carbonated for my tastes. The body is just shy of full and fairly oily and the carbonation is of a medium level and phenomenally smooth.

Overall: This is a great BA barley wine, though I am not sure it quite lives up to the hype. (1,603 characters)

Pours a solid dark brown/black color with a smallish bubbly tan head that quickly dissipates. Sweet bourbon and oak aromas fill the air the second I wrangle the cap off the bottle. Sweet brown sugar, caramel, and a light smattering of dark fruit and spice round out the nose. The flavor is quite sweet with sugar, toffee, and caramel like the aroma suggested. Spice plays nicely off the dark fruits and the vanilla and oak tie everything together quite nicely. Medium to thick body with a light level of carbonation, and a sweet almost syrupy mouthfeel. Wow that is a nice barleywine. The rye is there but it's not overpowering and adds a layer of complexity to a really well made beer. (686 characters)

Big thanks to MrKennedy. 2010 and 2011 vintages back-to-back. Review is for the 2010, which was marginally superior.

Muddy, turbid mahogany with a minimal saffron head that abates summarily to a collar.

Upfront pungent savoury malt character, with strong notes of brandied caramel and liquorice. Behind is mild spicy rye, some dry woodiness and a nice sharpness from the caraway seed. I was sceptical about this latter addition but it works well.

Stats out with even more rich malt character. Brandy snap, coconut, golden syrup puddings, treacle, molasses and evident booze. Verges on cloyingly sweet initially, until the previously MIA rye and caraway gradually weaves its way in.

Syrupy and rich with mild booze warmth. Even and satisfying.

Initially nonplussed, but this grew and grew on me over the course. Would probably be a pretty ordinary Barleywine without the rye, caraway and barrel treatment, but the subtlety in which those elements are applied makes for quite a classy brew. (994 characters)

Taste: I think this is also a BA barleywine. Lots of sweet flavors. Brown sugar, dark fruit, and warm alcohol. I'm getting more heat in the finish of this one. Bourbon seems to be there as well. A bit hot in the finish. 4

Mouthfeel: The body is on the syrupy side of medium with full, smooth carbonation and a dry finish 4.5

Overall: I liked this one slightly less than bottle #11. Overall, they were very similar. Just a bit smoother and better balanced. Still a very good beer. I'd have more. 4 (805 characters)

Batch 1 consumed along side the non-barrel aged version. The brew appears a dark amber mahogany color with orange clarity seen around the edges. Poor head retention fades leaving spotty lace sticking to the glass. A swirl revived a yellowish tan film back across the top.

The smell is sweet with caramel, oak, toffee and whiskey reinforced booze. Vanilla emerges and becomes increasingly noticeable along with a fruity inclusion of rye. More smells reveal a bit of toasty grain aspect that blends nicely onto the barrel presence.

The taste includes mild fruity rye flavors with a spicy aspect of the caraway. Some herbal hops are noticed mid-palate before the onset if the smooth rounded flavors of the barrel aging. Vanilla, caramel, toffee and booze are all present. The alcohol is a bit spicy as well.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. It is smooth yet boozy and complex. It is an interesting and enjoyable offering but I cant say that it really lived up to the hype and expectations that I formed from everyone telling me how amazing it iwas. Good yes, worth giving up an arm and a leg? No. (1,130 characters)

T: Follows the nose pretty much, but there is some spice note towards the middle/end. I love that this beer is not overly sweet, but probably due to this reason, booziness comes through stronger (which I do not mind as mind). I love how the bourbon works in this beer. Top notch. I read people say that batch 2 is not nearly as good as batch 1 - but batch 2 is amazing in my books (and I am in search of batch 1 now).

Pours a dark chestnut brown color that's completely opaque with copper edges and a one finger light beige head that quickly settles into a thin ring. Spotty lacing left behind.

Huge barrel character in the nose with spicy, silky bourbon, toasted oak, vanilla and coconut. The strong bourbon character compliments the spicy rye and leathery malts. Slightly boozy but more bourbon than alcohol sweetness. Underneath the bourbon and rye there is some malt sweetness with hints of chocolate, caramel, toffee and hazelnut. Really nice.

Medium bodied with a really nice barrel character that overpowers the base beer without being hot or overly boozy. Could be better integrated but still tastes great. Some dry, toasted oak and vanilla as well as a very prominent, delicious bourbon presence. Spicy bourbon compliments the spicy rye lingering into a dry finish. Unfortunately, most of the base beer is overwhelmed with only spicy rye and subtle leathery malt notes. Slightly boozy but again hardly any heat. Hard to believe its 11%. As it warms, some malt and vinous fruit comes out with hints of caramel, toffee and dark fruits but they're still overpowered by all of the bourbon flavor. Really good but lacking the complexity I was expecting. (1,271 characters)

Brownish orange in color. Smells sweet with lots of rye, also a lot of alcohol on the nose. Big bourbon on the nose as well. Bourbon is very well blended with the taste. You catch the base beer, sweet, dark fruit, raisin, fig, but the rye really comes out the most. Very creamy mouthfeel. A bit light though, but I like the creaminess. Overall, Fantastic beer. One I would search out for again. The problem is, with american or english barleywines postKH, I compare everything to King Henry. This is very good again, however, does not compare to King Henry. Very good though. Well done Flossmoor. (596 characters)

Poured into a snifter. Batch 1, which is 2010 I think. Big thanks to SteveFinny for this.

3.0 A: Pours a syrupy, lightly hazed, deep amber color. Couldn't muster much of a head, but there is a bit of lacing left.

4.0 S: Wow this is rye-ey. Total rye bomb. Never smelled a beer anything like this. Huge spicy earthiness. The barrel treatment pales in comparison to what the rye offers, but is a pleasant welcomed addition nonetheless. Leathery, with melon and hints of vanilla and oak. The caraway seeds are also quite powerful and offer a bold aroma that adds another unique layer. Plum and fig fruitiness, though in all honesty, is held underneath by the more aggressive rye and caraway aromas.

4.0 T: Like the nose, the taste is also outspoken by rye and caraway. Unbelievable amounts of spicy earthiness. Bourbon seems like an afterthought again, offering leather, melon, and vanilla. Plum, fig, and date fruitiness. Booze is very well hidden. Maple syrup-esque sweetness.

3.5 M: Heavier body. Moderately undercarbonated. Super syruppy, which might have been cut some if there was enough carbonation. Still, not bad.

4.0 D: Tasty, unique beer. I thought I would like this more since I love rye beers, but I've found that rye might make a better side kick than main attraction. Still, more than happy to give this a go and I enjoyed it quite a bit. (1,355 characters)

Look: Pours a murky dark brown that looks like muddy water. maybe a 1/8 inch head and no retention and leaves behind a slight film on the glass

Smell: Caramel and toffee join together with a vanilla sweetness and a bourbon backbone

Taste: Upfront is the bourbon note and its perfectly integrated and balances well with the chewy malt. Mid palate is where all the toffee and caramel are and it finishes with a nice vanilla sweetness and oaky character

Mouthfeel: Full body low carbonation sticky and chewy

Overall: This beer is exceptional. During the blind taste taste I had this one side by side with King Henry and actually gave them the same overall score (721 characters)